Five questions with… Onyi Nwabineli, Founder of Black Pens
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We spoke to Onyi Nwabineli, its Founder, to find out more about the work they do and what’s in store for Black Pens in the future.
Tell us about Black Pens.
In a nutshell, Black Pens is a writing retreat for Black womxn and femmes. It’s an opportunity for us to convene, build community, learn from each other and from industry experts, rest, relax and work. All in a safe and encouraging environment. It also provides attendees with the chance to access opportunities that might not have been available to them otherwise, such as exclusive submission prospects, advice from industry contacts, and even discounted software. A one-of-its-kind event in the UK.
What gave you the idea to start a writing retreat?
It started from a random tweet. I expressed that I would love to attend a writing retreat for Black women that had a sprinkling of luxury but was really a place for us to come together in community, and that tweet had such a phenomenal response that you could say I was very gently bullied into organising it myself.
Whereas retreats for Black writers are quite prevalent in other parts of the world, there didn’t seem to be anything like that in the UK and – given the stats around Black writers not only in the UK but across the board – I wanted to do my own small part to level the playing field. I am quite passionate about carving out spaces that cater to us and so threw myself into the planning process. I wanted to make it as financially accessible as possible, and so the cost was lower than traditional retreats and I also made sure that I could offer a scholarship place.
What was your highlight of Black Pens’s inaugural 2022 retreat?
There are so many moments I will never forget but I think the standout for me was seeing the reaction of the attendees when they arrived at the venue, saw where they would be staying and dived into their goodie bags. The joy on everyone’s faces let me know that it was all worth it and that I would absolutely have to do it again. A special shoutout also goes to the trip we took to the private lake; something I had to sort out quite last minute when I realised we would be at the retreat on the two hottest days of the year. Everyone was so at ease in their skin and some even took their laptops to work on the banks of the lake! Talk about dedication. None of this would have been possible without the Arts Council and I truly hope to work with them again because the work they do is so important.
What are you working on next, and what are you looking forward to in the future?
Planning for Black Pens 2023 is already underway. The response to the inaugural retreat was overwhelming with tickets selling out in ten minutes and a waitlist that numbered in the hundreds. The loudest feedback I received was that the next retreat needs to be longer, so I am trying to factor that in, as well as make additional scholarship places available. I am also looking into additional shorter Black Pens events to keep the momentum going throughout the year. I am looking forward to seeing attendees finish up their work, share their stories, and get the book deals they so richly deserve.
Are there any books you’ve read recently that you’d recommend?
Well my own debut novel will be released on Thursday 6 October and I’d be remiss if I didn’t plug myself a little bit! It’s called Someday, Maybe and centres on grief, family, culture and mental health. In addition to that, Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, Dear Senthuran by Akwaeke Emezi, The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare and Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud are all books I adored and would recommend to anyone.
To keep up to date with Black Pen’s work follow them on Twitter, and you can also follow Onyi on Twitter here.
